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Left Seattle on Saturday morning, and yes Steve, it was raining. Rained on and off all day, even had to get off the bike at one point and take shelter, this was after travelling slow in lane 1 in traffic and cars also travelling slowly in lane 2 were throwing bow waves up from the wheels and the water was going straight into my left boot. Decided enough was enough and sheltered for 10 mins till the downpour ceased a little.

Got to the Pacific coast road and stayed the night at a little place called Seaside. I tell you, if I had wanted Blackpool I could have gone across on the ferry and saved a fortune. It even had the same scuz as Blackpool, also the arcades and chip shops, the only thing missing was the giant funfair. Luckily I had picked a place at the quiet end of the prom, well it picked me really as everywhere else was full. It was not the cheapest room that I have had over here but as they say, beggars can't be choosers! At least we could see the Pacific from the room.

Had a great walk along the beech and Jed had his photos taken again, almost got his feet wet when he got caught out by a wave. Photo's will go on the blog when I get somewhere where I can upload. Once again I am in a library using this computer and uploading is not allowed.

On Sunday left Seaside nice and early for a ride down the Oregon coast, and very nice it was too. Apart that is from the heavy traffic, just could not make progress as solid white lines everywhere. Seemed like an age to cover the 101 miles to Newport where I was to pick up the US20 to start heading back east. Ride was very pretty though, with hills right up to the coast so quite rugged. Even so there were signs posted everywhere stating "Tsunami Escape Route"so they must get some big waves,

All the beaches here seem very nice with plenty of sand, even a few nice lighthouses along the route, and plenty of places to pull in to take the view. Perhaps that added to the fact that it took ages to cover the 101 miles!

Eventually hit the start of US20 and I am on my way home. Last night was spent in the tent on a RV park at Sweet Home, although there was nothing sweet when the adjoining saw mill started work at 3am after the weekend break. Did not get much sleep after that I can tell you and was up and showered by 6.15am.

Today I am on the road to the John Day fossil beds, don't know what to expect there but we shall wait and see. Lovely ride through the Oregon woodland this morning and up and over the Cascade mountains (again). Even found large areas of snow covered woodland near the top of the pass - don't forget that this is July 7th and the snow is still about 2 ft deep in patches and I was only at 4500ft.

Will try to get a hotel tonight - I need my beauty sleep, no comments from the back!

Jed met up with the Hangman Motor Cycle group today whilst we were on a hot choc break, and what a rough lot they all looked, but at least they came over and spoke. I'm afraid Jed did not have the bottle to ask the club president if he could have a photo with them, Jed seemed a little shy about the whole thing - he's not as tough as he looks you know.

Education time - missed a few states out so here goes.
Idaho. The gem state, bird is the Mountain Bluebird, tree is the White Pine and flower is the Syringa.
Washington. The Evergreen State, bird is the Willow Goldfinch, tree is the Western Hemlock and flower is the Western Rhododendron.
Oregon. The Beaver State (no sniggering), bird is the Western Meadowlark, tree the Douglas Fir (hurrah) and flower the Oregon Grape.

Should think that by tomorrow I will be back into Idaho but a lot further south.

Favourite State so far, Washington by a long chalk. A great variety of landscape and weather, from Mountain to dessert to plains and the city of Seattle, what more could you ask for?